It was beyond cold with the strong wind blowing Saturday. Heavy rain Friday. Some sleet on Saturday mixed with sunshine. Finally clearing by Saturday evening. Wow! And through it all, the show went on! The musicians played their hearts out, the crowd, around 400 total, was dialed in and having a blast, plenty of kids running around with their faces painted, and the music stayed on schedule! All this despite some crazy weather conditions. THANK YOU to the staff and sound crews from Tree Sound Studios and Music On Main Street for their incredible ability to produce top quality sound for us under less than ideal circumstances, and THANK YOU to the Harvest Family Hoot staff and volunteers for helping make the Harvest Family Hoot a success. The bonfire, at the start 7 ft in height and about 10 ft in diameter, was lit mid afternoon and fire barrels were scattered around with plenty of wood to go around, so one was never too far from warmth. THANK YOU to Smokey and his crew for maintaining the fires and having the farm ready for us!

Blackberry Possum got the ball rolling Friday night with some fantastic energy that had everyone moving and shaking under the extended cover in front of the stage. If you have a chance to catch them, don’t miss that opportunity. Saturday morning was when the high for the day occurred, and the temperature dropped from then on. That didn’t stop the music from keeping everyone warm and fuzzy inside on both stages all day and into the late night. Pickled Holler, featuring former members of Blueground Undergrass – Rev. Jeff Mosier, Matthew Williams & Edward Hunter – and beautiful vocals and bass playing of Jessica Williams, was the ideal way to ease into the day. How lucky are we to have such caliber of talent to start the day?! Our friends in Spackle provided a nice rock edge. Dead Affect provided just the right set of Grateful Dead music to boogie through the afternoon. Honeywood continued that boogie with some high energy jamgrass. Rev. Jeff Mosier & Biscuit Tragedy laid down an absolutely beautiful set that really left me missing my good friend Col. Bruce, who would have certainly been performing at this one. The GMOs provided us with one of the best sets of the day; if you have an opportunity to catch this fresh outfit, don’t miss out! The return of Snake Oil Medicine Show to the stage was extremely special, and they laid out some incredible gypsy and reggae rhythms mixed in with their signature hypnotic sound. One can never underestimate a set when it’s led by the amazing singer/songwriter Ralph Roddenbery, and the wow factor was in full effect after his memorable set. Deep Blue Sun followed that with 90 minutes of purely hypnotic jams that was easy listening from the bonfire, and Strung Like A Horse made sure everyone was strung by the end of the night. There were sit-ins abound all day and night Saturday and for the Friday night set, which made for a ultra-special experience. Enjoy the snippet from Friday night below featuring Bobby Miller sitting in with Blackberry Possum for some fine bluegrass jams!

This particular Hootenanny left me with the hope that another might happen. The Hoot family is such an incredible gathering of folks that are friends, musicians, kids, Smokey & Debbie, and Cherokee Farms. I’m excited about what the future might bring, so stay tuned in and support live music!

~ NO DOGS ALLOWED / BYOB / CAMPING INCLUDED in 2-DAY PASSES, FULL SAT ONLY PASSES

~ THE HARVEST FAMILY HOOT IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT

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As we get closer to THE weekend of The Harvest Family Hoot, I’ve been pondering what this event represents beyond a celebration of 20 years & going strong. We are gathering for what promises to be an absolutely amazing collaboration of musicians Friday night, all day Saturday and into the late night, yet I have come to the realization that this event is as much a segue way to another 20 years of reinvention and ways to bring music to the community, be it through the Frank Hamilton School or creating fresh community events that impact my immediate surroundings in the greater Atlanta area. I’m not sure what the future brings as far as camping events are concerned; I am certain that TDawg Presents will continue to provide a reason for folks with different ideals and beliefs – religious, political & otherwise – to enjoy the music together, as music is a strong common bond. It’s important to be reminded in such a polarizing world in which we live that there is more opportunity to unite than divide. I intend to do my part with the former rather than the latter.

I hope that you can join us this weekend – I know that you’ll leave with renewed energy for life and purpose. HOOOOOOOOTENANNY!

~ NO DOGS ALLOWED / BYOB / CAMPING INCLUDED in 2-DAY PASSES, FULL SAT ONLY PASSES

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Well folks, we are gearing up for what promises to be an incredible weekend of reunions with friends, family & musicians both on the stage and off! The Harvest Family Hoot is truly a celebration of the journey that has transpired over the course of the last 20 years in my life and many of the musicians involved. This journey includes not only the evolution of HarvestFest to a nationally known 3-day roots and Americana extravaganza known as Blue Ridge HarvestFest in partnership with High Sierra Music and more than 20 smaller festivals that included 19 editions of TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny, two Keel Family Functions and a Cherokee Farms FiddleFest, but also all the concerts that have happened in venues around the metro Atlanta area and various points of the Southeast that are too numerous to recall right now. We’ve all been blessed with such an amazing array of music legends, future legends, and all-around phenomenal musicians over the years! The music never stops my friends.

~ NO DOGS ALLOWED / BYOB / CAMPING INCLUDED in 2-DAY PASSES, FULL SAT ONLY PASSES

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That’s right y’all! Before you know it, the weekend of April 6-7 will be here, and you KNOW where you should be – HOOOOOOOOOOOOTENANNY!! I am grateful to still be able to bring quality live music to the community, and the Harvest Family Hoot is a celebration of that continuation. It’s been a long strange trip for the last 20 years, and I look forward to what the future brings on this level. (Blue Ridge) HarvestFest, the 19 editions of TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny that followed, the Annual Holiday Hootenanny, the free community events, and all the TDawg shows over the years in and around the Southeast have all had a strong common bond in the amazing talent that has always come together to produce memorable and transcending music experiences for just a few patrons or a few thousand and all points in between.

Similar to the final Back Porch Hootenanny in 2016, this upcoming Harvest Family Hoot is bringing together musical talent that spans the history of TDawg Presents from 1998 to the present. I am honored that all the musicians involved have been a part of the journey – we’re in for a weekend of sit-ins and jams that will leave you right where you need to be!

The band closing the The Shed Stage (scroll down for schedule), Deep Blue Sun, is known for their amazing jams and musicianship, and you can rest assured they will leave nothing on the the table at the Hoot! Below is a video from the 4th Annual Atlanta Holiday Hootenanny featuring some special guests, Jeff Mosier and Bobby Miller among them, who will be present at the Harvest Family Hoot. Please note the use of only one hand playing bass 😉 You can expect more of this in six weeks, and more! Enjoy!

The Harvest Family Hoot welcomes singer/songwriter Jess Goggans to the celebration as an Artist-At-Large! Recognized for her sultry southern grit, soulful melodies and high-energy stage presence, it is said that you can literally feel her voice moving through you. Jess’ music defies genre; it’s been referred to as “get down music,” with influences of funk, rock and blues. You might feel as if you’re hearing Janis Joplin live in concert! Her presence is a great addition to the potpourri of musical styles that will be front and center in April and we’re thrilled to have her on board.

~ NO DOGS ALLOWED / BYOB / CAMPING INCLUDED in 2-DAY PASSES, FULL SAT ONLY PASSES

Mark your calendar for the weekend of April 6-7, 2018 for a celebration of 20 years of TDawg Presents (aka TDawg’s Productions, Eye Dawg Productions) bringing concerts to Atlanta and the Southeast at our home away from home, Cherokee Farms!

Y’all this one promises to be one for the ages. The acts present this year represent a span of the entire 20 years, and I only wish that I had been able to bring everyone that has been such a big part of many magical musical moments! The lineup is as follows: